2018 NBA Draft: The 2022 Redraft
By Jim James
The 2018 NBA Draft will go down as one of the most star studded ones in history – one of the best of the 2010s. Since there was a great clash of the Titans las night with Luka Doncic vs DeAndre Ayton, I believe this is quite topical. We’ll be redrafting the lottery with the teams who got those positions. We’ll also be drafting based mostly on skill, lightly on position, but skill is the main thing. Let’s countdown from #14.
DELETE LIST BEFORE POSTING:
1: Luka Doncic
2: Trae Young
3: DeAndre Ayton
4: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
5: Michael Porter Jr.
6: Miles Bridges
7: Collin Sexton
8: Mikal Bridges
9: Gary Trent Jr.
10: Jaren Jackson Jr.
11: Jalen Brunson
12: Mitchell Robinson
13: Devonte Graham
14: Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk
14: Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, Denver Nuggets
Original Position: 47 (+34 movement)
Stats: 220 GP, 46 GS, 6.6 PPG
Not the most exciting start, I know, but Svi is the best fit for Denver at 14. He fills a 2/3 spot void, and is a solid contributor off the bench.
13: Devonte Graham, L.A. Clippers
Original Position: 34 (+21 movement)
Stats: 12.8 PPG, 5 APG, 240 GP, 163 GS
Another player with a massive leap in their draft position, Devonte Graham would, while not doing well in that 1st season, takes a jump in the 2nd, and that’s what puts his here. The Clippers were also looking for a PG in the 2018 draft, and would definitely take him in this scenario.
12: Mitchell Robinson, LA Clippers (Traded to Charlotte)
Original Position: 36 (+24 Movement)
Stats: 7.5 RPG, 2.0 BPG, 230 GP, 117 GS
Certainly not a big piece, but this type of player is just what Charlotte needed in 2018, and to an extent what they still need in 2022. Only 8 or so points per game, but a good rebounder and 99th percentile in terms of blocking ability. He doesn’t have the nickname “Block Ness Monster” for no reason…
11: Jalen Brunson, Charlotte Hornets (Traded to LA Clippers)
Original Position: 33 (+22 Movement)
Stats: 16.3 PPG in 21-22, 49.4 FG%, 80 FT%, 3.7 APG
He gets above Robinson because of the playoff performance. While Robinson has yet to appear in a playoff game, Brunson has been CRUCIAL to the Mavs’ deep playoff run. On the Clippers, he might have made the difference to them going deep, especially in 2020, when the Nuggets came back from 3-1, Brunson may have scored those few extra points to get the Clippers into the Conference Finals.
10: Jaren Jackson Jr., Philadelphia 76ers (Traded to Phoenix)
Original Position: 4 (-6 Movement)
Stats: 15.8 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 195 GS, 2.3 BPG in 21-22 (League Leader)
A steal for Phoenix here, JJJ falls because of an injury riddled spell thus far in the league. In 2020-21 he played just 11 games and started 4 due to a torn meniscus. When he’s played though he’s been pretty good and is a welcome addition to the Suns.
9: Gary Trent Jr., New York Knicks
Original Position: 37 (+28 Movement)
Stats: 18.3 PPG in 21-22, 204 GP, 116 GS, 1.1 SPG
A pure scorer, which is something the Knicks need. As long as they are willing to be patient and wait for their man to start scoring, they’re good. Trent can develop to an All-Star, and has been exceptional for Toronto this season.
8: Mikal Bridges, Cleveland Cavaliers
Original Position: 10 (+2 Movement)
Stats: 309 GP, 3 Seasons with most amount of games played possible, 11.3, 3.9 RPG, 50.9 FG%
Not a pure scorer, but someone you can rely on and is a jack of all trades, master of none. He was one of the main men in Phoenix’s finals run in 2021, so he would be a good fit for Cleveland.
7: Collin Sexton, Chicago Bulls
Original Position: 8 (+1 Movement)
Stats: 20 PPG, 3.3 APG, 208 GS
Another pure scorer, and he would be perfect for Chicago, a great player to start a franchise around, even though he’s only played 11 games, 20 Points per game over 4 seasons, it would take quite a top 6 to put him here, and this is what it is.
6: Miles Bridges, Orlando Magic
Original Position: 12 (+6 Movement)
Stats: 291 GP, 20.2 PPG in 21-22, 5.6 RPG, 47.3 FG%
Argue amongst yourselves whether Sexton deserves the 6 Spot, but I decided not. Bridges would fit into Orlando’s side better and is a better all-rounder. With Bridges, would they have gotten past Toronto in the 1st Round 2019?
5: Michael Porter Jr, Dallas Mavericks (Traded to Atlanta)
Original Position: 14 (+9 Movement)
Stats: 19 PPG in 20-21, 51.8 FG%, 6.1 RPG
It is debateable whether he should be this high because of all the injury problems, but Michael Porter Jr. is here because of his 20-21 season, he looked great in it. If he stays healthy, he could jump the next person on this list, or he could just as easily fall, maybe even out of the lottery.
4: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Memphis Grizzlies
Original Position: 11 (+7 Movement)
Stats: 24.5 PPG in 21-22, 4.5 RPG, 50.8 FG% in 20-21, 1.1 SPG
A great player. Shai has been THE MAN for OKC since Chris Paul left, and while they’ve not done too well, Shai is doing quite well and deserves the #4 position.
3: Deandre Ayton, Atlanta Hawks (Traded to Dallas)
Original Position: 1 (-2 Movement)
Stats: 16.3 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 59.9 FG%, 1 BPG
People are slandering him for his Game 7 loss, but Deandre Ayton is still a great player. One of the highest PPG, RPG, and FG% in the list so far, and the only player in the list so far to be averaging a double double, and the only one to have a Finals appearance. Dallas shouldn’t feel hard done by with him here.
2: Trae Young, Sacramento Kings
Original Position: 5 (+3 Movement)
Stats: 29.6 PPG in 19-20, 28.4 PPG in 21-22, 9.1 APG, 44 FG%, 730 Career 3-pointers, 280 GS, 100% of Games Played he starts, 2x All-Star
There’s a reason Trae is here, just look at those stats. This is one of the biggest upgrades for a team on the list, too. Our first All-Star on the list, a 2x starter, and he has done one of the most impressive things on the list, Carrying his team to a Conference Finals. Until Today we could have said he was alone in this draft class on doing this but…
1: Luka Doncic, Phoenix Suns.
Original Position: 3 (+2 Movement)
Stats: 2019 ROY, 21.1 PPG as a rookie, 26.4 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 8 APG, 264 GS, 100% of Games Played he starts, 45.7 FG%, 1.1 SPG, 3x All-Star
…Luka just did it. The well deserved #1 pick has had the playoffs of his dreams now that he doesn’t have to face the Clippers. I remember at the start of the Postseason, a friend of Bob and I said that “Luka was out for the playoffs” because he was out for the first 2 games vs Utah and by the time he returned the series and thus the playoffs, for Dallas, would be over. He has been proven wrong as Luka has made up for his disappointment in the regular season with great doings in the playoffs. He truly deserves this spot.
That’s all folks, I hope you enjoyed it. I would like to know your Redraft so you can tag me @bobandjimdotca on twitter, which you can also follow for updates on when posts come out, and updates in a crucial point in the NBA season and in the European Soccer season. I’m Jim James, until next time.